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Today's Opinions

Vandalia native Paul Stroble uploaded to Vandalia Memories this old postcard of the current home of First National Bank at Fifth and Gallatin streets. As you can see, at the time this postcard was circulated, the bank was inside the Dieckman Hotel.

1990 – John Hall and Mark Ritter were selected to attend Illini Boys’ State at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
Valedictorians at area high schools were: David Myers and Corey Wiegand, Vandalia; Donna Blankenship, Mulberry Grove; Melissa Jones, South Central; Beth Herrington and Angie Harmeier, Vandalia; Amy Cole, Brownstown; Lori Thull and Jamie Bolyard, Ramsey; and Sherry Britt, Patoka.
The Vandalia Community High School boys’ tennis team tied for first in the Mid-State Conference Tournament.

1990 – Mayor Rich Walker was elected mayor of the Southern Illinois Mayor’s Association.
Ramsey Superintendent Richard Nelson was named new superintendent of the Lovington School District. He had served as Ramsey superintendent since 1981.
Two Vandalia seniors received $1,000 scholarships. Jeff Scott was named recipient of the James Littleford Scholarship and Angie Harmeier received the Matthew Newman, M.D., Illinois Eye Consultant Scholarship.

This is the weekend that many will be holding cookouts, parties and other activities to celebrate the unofficial start of summer. It's a time when family and friends gather together for a good time.
But we ask that you also remember those who gathered together for quite a different reason more than 100 years ago or about 70 years ago ... and many times in between and after. Those men and women joined together at various times in our country's history to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today.

1990 – Brandon Nash, 13, of Ramsey, drowned in the rain-swollen Ramsey Creek.
High-straight winds or a tornado did damage to buildings in Mulberry Grove, Farina, Vandalia and Ramsey during the past week.
Jim Lewis was named assistant principal at Vandalia Community High School, replacing the late Walt Leidner.
Former St. Peter mayor and businessman Armin “Shorty” Hotz, died at Lutheran Care Center in Altamont.
Mike Butler was hired as girls basketball coach at Vandalia Community High School.